Displaying items by tag: Akira Kurosawa's Ran 4K

We start today with three more new disc reviews.

First up is my look at Random Space Media’s recent Breaking Bad: The Complete Series Blu-ray box set, an all region release that includes the Netflix streaming sequel El Camino. Note that this set is currently selling for the same price on Amazon as Sony’s wide-release Blu-ray set that does not include the sequel film.

Also today, Tim has posted his thoughts on Roland Klick’s Deadlock (1970), a fascinating film newly released in 4K by Subkultur Entertainment via Vinegar Syndrome.

And Stephen has turned in a new 4K review as well, this one of Stephanie Rothman’s Terminal Island (1972) on Ultra HD, also from Vinegar Syndrome.

Now then, in announcement news today, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has made their Mad Max Anthology official for release on 4K Ultra HD and Digital on 11/2, just as we’ve been expecting for weeks now. [Read on here...]

Afternoon, everyone! I trust you all had a great weekend.

We’ve got some more new disc reviews for you today, as expected, with more on the way all week long.

First up, I’ve given Tom Lowe immersive and mesmerizing native 4K documentary Awaken a look on Ultra HD from our friends at Gunpowder & Sky and DUST, via Vinegar Syndrome. Think Samsara and Baraka and you’re in the fight ballpark. The film is really gorgeous and it’s a nice 4K release, so do give it a look if you’re interested.

Also today, Tim has reviewed the great Carl Reiner’s Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) a look on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. As most of you know, this classic comedy stars Steve Martin.

And Dennis has turned in his thoughts on Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa (1986), as recently-released on Blu-ray by our friends at The Criterion Collection.

All of these titles are worth a look. [Read on here...]

Today’s update is a quick one, but we have some new disc reviews for you, a bit of announcement news, and word of new Amazon pre-orders that are now live. First let’s get to those reviews...

Stephen has posted a look at Paul Verhoeven’s Basic Instinct, which is now available in a new 4K Ultra HD edition from StudioCanal that includes the remastered Director’s Cut version of the film. It’s worth a look.

Also, I’ve given Lionsgate’s recent Steelbook release of Dirty Dancing (1987) a look on 4K Ultra HD. As many Bits readers will know, the title has long been a favorite of home video enthusiasts, selling well in virtually every format it’s ever been released in. The UHD is currently only available at Best Buy stores, but we suspect it’s going to get a wider release in 4K later this year or early next (probably in standard Amaray packaging).

Speaking of retail-exclusive Steelbook 4K titles from Lionsgate, we now know that the studio will be releasing Akira Kurosawa’s Ran at Best Buys stores later this year (we believe in November, but the title is still TBA). You can read my review of the recent Studio Canal 4K release here. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some bit 4K release news for you today, but first more new disc reviews...

Stephen has posted his thoughts on Rod Lurie’s The Outpost: Extended Director’s Cut in 4K Ultra HD from Screen Media. Sounds like it’s a good film, but be aware that this is one of those rare 4K releases that doesn’t include HDR.

Also today, Dennis has reviewed Gus Trikonis’ Take The Job and Shove It (1981) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.

More reviews are on the way for later this week. (And yes, I’m still waiting on Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 4K, but I will review that the moment it arrives.) [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a bit of ground to cover today. First, we’ve got a few new disc reviews for you to enjoy...

I’ve posted my thoughts Doug Liman’s Chaos Walking in 4K from Lionsgate. It’s not a great science fiction film, but it looks fantastic in 4K (it was shot with the Alexa 65 camera) and it features some very nice special features too created by our old friend Cliff Stephenson. So it’s well worth a look.

I’ve also posted my review of George Cukor’s My Fair Lady (1964) on 4K Ultra HD from Paramount, and that is absolutely a reference-grade title. As some of you may know, it was shot using the Super Panavision-70 camera and was restored by our old friend Robert A. Harris back in 2015 in 4K using an 8K scan of the original camera negative. The film just looks absolutely fantastic and it’s a classic Hollywood musical too. Don’t miss it.

Also seriously worth a look is Arrow Video’s new Battle Royale: Limited Edition in 4K Ultra HD, a UK import boxset that I’ve reviewed in-depth here at the site as well. It features both versions of Kinji Fukasaku’s original film in beautifully-remastered 4K, along with both versions of the sequel on Blu-ray, plus an amazing collection of special features and swag. And even though it’s a UK import, the 4K discs will play fine worldwide. The two Blu-rays in the box are Region B locked, but one of them will still play on any US player anyway (details in my review). If you’re a fan of the film, this is a must-have box. [Read on here...]

All right, we’ve got a couple new disc reviews to start the proceedings here at The Bits today...

I’ve taken a look at the first season of HBO’s new His Dark Materials series on Blu-ray, which is pretty good. Fans of the Philip Pullman books will be pleased to know that this is a solid adaptation. I just wish HBO would release the series in 4K, because the film was shot natively in 4.5K and 6K and finished in 4K, so it should look tremendous. Anyway, the Blu-ray release is solid enough (and Season Two starts in November).

Also, I’ve reviewed Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element as newly released in 4K by StudioCanal in the UK. And here’s the thing: Though the disc has no extras (and its remastered Blu-ray is Region B locked), StudioCanal’s 4K features a new and better encode than the previous Sony Ultra HD release, with much higher data rates, and Dolby Vision HDR. It’s a notable improvement in image quality. So serious fans of the film may want to consider it. Click here for all the details. [Read on here...]

We’ve got some interesting announcement news for you today...

First up, Paramount has just set Robert Altman’s Popeye (1980) for release on Blu-ray Disc on 12/1, just in time for the film’s 40th anniversary (on 12/6). No kidding! The film stars Robin Williams, Shelley Duvall, Paul L. Smith, and Paul Dooley.

From the press release: “The new Blu-ray includes access to a Digital copy of the film, along with nearly 30 minutes of all-new bonus content featuring excerpts from one of Robin Williams’ final interviews, an interview with director Robert Altman from 2014, as well as a newly conducted interview with Stephen Altman.”

Those extras will include 4 featurettes (Return to Sweethaven: A Look Back with Robin and the Altmans, The Popeye Company Players, Popeye’s Premiere, and The Sailor Man Medleys) and the film’s theatrical trailer. You can see the cover artwork at left and also below. [Read on here...]